Diarrhoea and vomiting is a very common complaint particularly in dogs and less so in cats.
We see more cases in the hotter weather than during the winter (except for Christmas).
Diarrhoea without vomiting where the animal is still quite bright is generally the result of an imbalance of the lower intestinal gut flora.
The lower gut is populated with billions of bacteria that are required for good bowel function and are increasingly seen to be important in the prevention of other more serious diseases such as irritable bowel disease and other forms of chronic disease, bowel cancer, and even with obesity.
Generally the dog or cat eats something that reduces the beneficial bacteria but allows a surge in non beneficial bacteria (that populate the lower gut in smaller numbers normally).
Diarrhoea in this case is a normal response to help clear away the “bad” bacteria . Often these “bad” bacteria cause the release of an endotoxin that causes intense inflammation of the gut lining and can result in blood and mucous being passed, sometimes in quite large amounts.
If the “bad” bacteria start to spread to the upper intestine then vomiting may start.
When diarrhoea starts and your pet is still quite bright I advise that you starve your pet for 24 hours (if the diarrhoea is very mild this is not necessary) after this, feed just cooked chicken for two or three days.
Water should be provided at all times and I do not advise feeding rice.
Rice is digested into sugar in the bowel and will tend to feed the bacteria which at this stage are the non beneficial ones.
Chicken is mainly an easily digestible protein that can not be used by the intestinal bacteria but can be used by the animal to provide energy.
After several days on chicken I would mix chicken with the pet’s usual food for a few more days. The use of probiotics and kaolin pectin compounds will speed up the resolution of the diarrhoea and aid the return to normal gut flora.
There are many products on the market. The one that I use is called protexin pro-kaolin and can be purchased over the counter at many veterinary practices.
If the diarrhoea is not steadily improving and gone after ten days then you should have your pet checked.
Vomiting in mild cases should only last for a few hours. Water can be withheld until the vomiting stops and then given in small frequent amounts. If vomiting persists for more than a few hours then the pet needs checking by a vet.
Persistent vomiting without diarrhoea is more of a concern.
There are many diseases that cause vomiting and diarrhoea that can be much more serious.
Salmonella, Campylo-bacter, renal disease, hepatic disease, Weil’s disease, poisonings to name but a few. Any pet that is getting progressively more depressed and the vomiting and diarrhoea is not settling will need to see their vet.
